Seona, sitting on her other side, smiled and hugged her next. "Congratulations."

"I thank you both," Isobel murmured, not knowing what else to say. She was vexed at the men who thought so little of her that they'd ignored her all day while arranging her life.

"I thank you, Chief MacKenzie," Dirk said. "And I thank you for the honor of wedding your lovely sister." Dirk sent her a wee smile, or was it a smug grin? Did he think she would like this surprise?

Rebbie slapped him on the shoulder and shook his hand. Other women from the MacKay clan gathered around Isobel to congratulate her and welcome her to the clan. She stepped down from the dais to accept their good wishes. Aiden came forward to welcome her as a sister.

The crowd around her and Jessie parted and before she knew it, Torrin MacLeod stood before her. Although he had been sitting at the same table, she'd somehow managed to avoid looking him in the eye or speaking to him during the meal. But now she couldn't avoid him.

He bowed. "Lady Isobel," he said with a friendly expression that surprised her.

She curtseyed. "Laird Torrin."

"I wish to congratulate you and Dirk on your upcoming marriage. I also want to apologize for what happened at Munrick. Had I known what kind of knave my brother was, I wouldn't have left him there to guard you."

Isobel frowned, trying to detect any deceitfulness in the pleasant expression on his handsome face.

"I thank you, and I don't blame you." That was all she could think to say. Still, he made her highly uncomfortable. She had intended to marry him after all, but now she didn't have to, thank the heavens.

"I'm glad. I wish you happy," he said, his green eyes seemed sincere, but his gaze didn't remain on her long. He was staring at Jessie who stood beside her. "We haven't been introduced."

"Oh. This is Lady Jessie MacKay. Dirk's sister," Isobel said, then motioned at Torrin. "And this is Laird Torrin MacLeod, chief of the MacLeod clan."

"'Tis my great pleasure to meet you, Lady Jessie." Torrin held out his hand, waiting for Jessie to place her hand in his. When she did, he bowed in a courtly manner and kissed the backs of her fingers.

Though she didn't smile, Jessie flushed pink, as she curtseyed. "'Tis an honor to meet you, m'laird." She quickly pulled away and clasped her hands in front of her.

"Dirk's sister, hmm?" Torrin said. "I would've never imagined he would have such a lovely sister."

Isobel bit her lip to keep from snickering, while Jessie merely blushed ever brighter.

"I thank you, m'laird."

Isobel switched her gaze back and forth between them, trying to figure out what was going on. Clearly Torrin found Jessie incredibly attractive with her coppery hair and sky-blue eyes. He was paying her far more attention than he'd ever paid Isobel when they'd been betrothed. But Jessie appeared extremely tense.

"Pray pardon," Jessie said with another curtsy. "I must see if Cook has the tarts baked yet."

With a frown, Torrin watched her flee the room, then looked to Isobel.

She shrugged.

"Don't be thinking you'll steal Isobel back from me," Dirk said, placing his arm protectively around her shoulders.

Isobel flushed all over as she glanced up at Dirk and relished the way his big warm hand caressed her shoulder. A slight smile quirked his lips.

"Och, nay," Torrin said. "I wish the two of you happy." He shook Dirk's hand and ambled away.

"Hmph. He took it well that I stole his bride," Dirk said.

Isobel gave him a tight smile for she was still annoyed and confused about why he hadn't told her about their marriage arrangements. Being the bride and one of the last to know was humiliating.

"Could I have a word?" Dirk murmured, his breath warming and tickling her ear.

"Aye." So now he was going to tell her, after everyone knew?

She followed Dirk's gesture to precede him toward the corridor leading to the library. It must have been his favorite room.

Once they were inside, he closed the door.

"Are you cross with me again?" Dirk asked. "I couldn't help but notice those glares you threw my way after Cyrus made the announcement."

"You could've told me, at least," she said.

"What?"

Could he truly be so daft? She blew out an exasperated breath. "'Tis humiliating to learn, along with the rest of your clan, about our upcoming nuptials. Neither you nor my brother would take a minute to tell me what you were arranging."

Dirk frowned. "I'm sorry. I thought you'd be pleased."

"About what? That no one bothered to ask me who I wanted to marry?"

He gave her a long, dark look. "I'm not senseless, Isobel, and neither is Cyrus. We both ken you want to marry me instead of Torrin."

She bit her lip, refusing to look at him. So he was right. That wasn't the point. She supposed she should be grateful her brother wasn't marrying her off to a wizened old coot this time.

Dirk drew her close. "Isobel?" He tipped her chin up. "Look at me."

Trying to maintain her ire despite how good he felt, she stared at his stubbly chin, but then his sensual lips distracted her. She wanted them on her.

"Your brother was going to call you in here and find out your opinion on the matter," Dirk said. "But we had to go out and deal with the MacLeods."

She shrugged. "He has no concern about my opinion. Nor do you."

"'Tis not true. But you're right about one thing. Where marriage is concerned, I neglected to ask the most important person." He lowered himself to one knee. "Lady Isobel, will you do me the honor of becoming my bride?"

As she stared down into his intent and hopeful bright blue gaze, tears rushed to her eyes. "Are you certain you don't feel forced into it?" she asked, though her throat constricted.

"Are you mad?" He rose and stroked his thumb across her cheek, wiping her tears away. "I can think of little else."

"In that case… Aye, I would love to," she whispered. "I can think of little else either."

Switching his attention to her hand, he kissed her knuckles and slid a ring onto her finger.

She sucked in a sharp breath, staring down in shock at the dark blue stone of the sapphire ring. Happiness spun through her, bringing more tears to her eyes. "Oh, Dirk. Where did you get this?"

"'Twas my mother's." He smiled, wiggling the ring on her finger. "'Tis a bit big, but we'll have it modified to fit."

"'Tis lovely. I thank you."

"You're welcome." He kissed her forehead.

Though she loved the affectionate gesture, she hungered for a different sort of kiss from him to seal the betrothal.

"Do you forgive me?" he asked.

"Aye. If you promise not to keep me in the dark again."

He hesitated as if thinking that over. "I promise. If 'tis something that involves you, I'll be sure to tell you first."

She didn't like that pause before his answer. "Are you certain?"

"Of course. Do you not trust me?"

"I do. But you must remember not to treat me like a piece of furniture or a sheep the way my brother does."

Dirk chuckled.

"You think that's funny? How would you like it if women decided your future?"

"Pray pardon. I only found it funny because I could never in a thousand years treat you like furniture or a sheep." He snorted as if that was ridiculous. "Nay, you are… the most important person to me." His look grew sincere and almost passionate.